Town Square

High rents drive demand for home-sharing

Original post made
on Mar 29, 2013

Anyone who has tried to find a rental on the Midpeninsula recently knows that rents seem higher than ever locally -- a fact confirmed by a recent study that found San Mateo County to be the third most expensive rental market in the country.

Where will it all end - Multi Million Dollar Homes - sky high rents. where will the "basic" workforce come from in the future?
Do you really think that those working at low paying jobs will commute an hour or two,to the Peninsula just to work.
It is almost becoming a utopia society....Having grown up here it is sad to see.

Posted by Phil
a resident of Atherton: other
on Mar 30, 2013 at 6:59 am

This should be a wake up call to San Mateo County that tax dollars are being lost due to over crowded and blighted areas since the county's official policy is "over crowding is not a priority".

Clean up the blight, makes neighborhoods more safe and attractive, which increases the tax base to build more affordable housing. But balance it with lower density units. Like it or not, our area doesn't don't have freezing temps, snow or crippling heat, all attractive features.

Posted by Lorraine
a resident of another community
on Mar 30, 2013 at 11:47 am

Its just that the landlords are so greedy,, no other reason than they get away with it.. We pay $3,000 a month for a creepy 2 bedroom..
We can't move, the cost of the move is too much. My boyfriends job is so specialized we have to stay in this area to have one rotten pay check since I dont have a job,, They are requiring women to have Batchelors degrees to answer phones now and bi-lingual is a must for any low paying job.. INSANE>>>
This apartment would be $575 per month in Texas or most other states.
Only here do we get punished to live in a rental, so how can the poor save to buy a house???? They can't. Even with my boyfriends Phd job we will never be able to save for a down payment.

This is just spin by the aforementioned Low Income Housing Advocates - the same fine folks who sued Menlo Park and whose legal expenses were repaid by the city. This article (or press release) is intended spin public opinion their way. The reality, though is that this isn't a new problem. New immigrants for 200 years have faced the same challenges, and always survive, without the public subsidy. My grandparents did it as well.

I am afraid that there is an agenda by the state, ABAG and these folks - all unelected officials, to create housing for 2 Million people in the bay area, and peninsula in particular.

Posted by Long term renter
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Apr 1, 2013 at 6:42 pm

It is greedy landlords. They charge what the market will bear, and since so much green space is off-limits for development, there is little entry level housing within commute distance. Legacy apt owners are making a killing!! I'd probably do the same if I had been so blessed....

That said, in every major metro area most people have roommates. Living by yourself is a luxury. Share an apt like everyone else. Don't live above your means.

Posted by renter
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Apr 1, 2013 at 6:51 pm

If a typical 2 bed apt is $1,795, then surely most people can allocate $900 a month to share an apt? (I know there are exceptions, such as those living on SS, or with families and no partner).

I don't believe the math on the $72,000 annual income quote in the article. $36,000 a year per person equates to $17.80 per hour wage, which is roughly what most housekeepers and Nannies get in the peninsula. $15-20 per hour is normal, and then they pay no income taxes.

$900 a month to share an apt is reasonable. Landlords charging $4000 for a 2 bedroom apt are greedy. Certainly no possibility of said family affording one parent to stay home, and likely all income goes to day care.

Posted by Menlo Voter
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Apr 1, 2013 at 7:06 pm

When I left home in the late 70's I had roommates. I was in college, working and paying my way. There was no question if I would have my own place. It wasn't even a consideration. After college, not making a whole lot more, still roommates, no expectations of anything else. That was life. The economy drives rents. Nothing has changed in that regard except for the absurd expectation that someone fresh out of college will be able to live alone. Wasn't happening then, not happening now.

Posted by Hmmm
a resident of another community
on Apr 1, 2013 at 9:44 pm

I don't know any recent college grads - & I know many - w/expectations of living alone. They're just thrilled if they find a decent job. What's shameful is when educated, experienced adults have to have a roommate & live in some crummy place due to personal economics & the high cost of living.